ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
DPIIT invites applications for First Ever National Startup Awards 2020
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  has announced institution of the first ever National Startup Awards. The National Startup Awards seek to recognize and reward outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers that are building innovative products or solutions and scalable enterprises, with high potential of employment generation or wealth creation, demonstrating measurable social impact. The measure of success will not only be the financial gains for the investors but also the contribution to the social good, said Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce and Industry and Railways while announcing the launch of the awards.
The applications for the awards are open till 31st December 2019.
The Awards will recognize exceptional startups across various categories that are providing innovative solutions to solve real problems and challenges for India, developing innovative technologies, products and solutions from India to the world, building businesses that are scalable, sustainable and responsible and delivering measurable developmental gains.
The National Startup Awards will also reward exceptional Incubators and Accelerators as key building blocks of a robust startup ecosystem.
The awards for startups will be given in 35 areas, classified into 12 broad sectors like agriculture, education, enterprise technology, energy, finance, food, health, Industry 4.0, space, security, tourism, and urban services. In addition, there are three special awards for startups from educational institutions, making impact in rural areas and women entrepreneurs.
A cash prize of Rs 5 lakh each will be awarded to the winning startup in each area. The winner and 4 runners-up will also be given opportunities to present their solutions to relevant public authorities and corporates for potential pilot projects and work orders. They will also be given priority for participation in various national and international startup events.
A cash prize of Rs 15 lakh each will be awarded to one winning Incubator and one winning Accelerator as well.
Election Commission
General election to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2020 – Ban on Exit Poll.
Election Commission of India, in exercise of the powers under sub-sectionof Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 has notified the period between 8.00 A.M. and 6.30 P.M. on 8th February, 2020  as the period during which conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicizing the result of exit poll by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner shall be prohibited in the on going General Election to the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2020.
Further, under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media, would be prohibited during the period of 48 hoursending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in the aforesaid General election.
Notification dated 24th January, 2020 issued in this regard is enclosed herewith for the information of all concerned.
Please click here to see the Notification.

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SBS/MR/AC
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President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA TO VISIT AMRITSAR TOMORROW
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu will visit Amritsar, Punjab tomorrow . During her day-long tour, the President will visit Sri Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple and Bhagwan Valmiki Ram Tirath Sthal.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
First-of-its-kind Cruise Service starts between Surat and Diu
Water transportation is the new future of transportation and prime focus of Government under visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, while e-flagging the cruise service
Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways  Shri Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the Cruise service from Hazira Port of Surat to Diu today via video conferencing.
In his inaugural address, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya said that the Development of cruise tourism is the prime focus of the Government of India under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
‘I feel very happy to announce that before 2014, there were 139 cruise calls at the Indian Ports but today we have 450 cruise calls in the country despite the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a steady growth in the number of tourists traveling by Cruise Services since 2014. The number before 2014 was one lakh and the number of tourists in 2019-20 was 4.5 lakhs’, added Shri Mandaviya.
Shri Mandaviya reiterated that Indian coastline has a huge potential for the cruise tourism industry and 6 International cruise terminals are being planned on both the west coast  and east coast  of India. Shri Manslkh Mandaviya expressed optimism about the development of ferry, RoRo and ROPAX services between South Gujarat and Saurashtra region of Gujarat and said that water transportation is the new future of transportation with state-of-the-art ferry terminals and modern facilities in the cruise services.
One side voyage time of the cruise service is approximately 13 to 14 hours. Cruise has the capacity of 300 passengers and has 16 cabins. This cruise will sail two round trips in a week. The Cruise has Gaming Lounge, VIP Lounge, Entertainment on Deck and other modern amenities. One side journey will cost Rs.900+taxes.
In November,2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Hazira-Ghogha’ RoPAX service and within four months, One lakh passengers and thousands of vehicles utilised the ferry service to save journey time and the cost to travel from Hazira  to Ghogha . The success of the ferry service has opened the gates for many more routes of water transportation in Gujarat and all over India,said Shri Mansukh Mandaviya.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves the acquisition  in Escorts Limited  by Kubota Corporation  and  in Kubota Agricultural Machinery India Private Limited  by Escorts
The Competition Commission of India  approves the acquisition  in Escorts Limited  by Kubota Corporation  and  in Kubota Agricultural Machinery India Private Limited  by Escorts, under Section 31 of the Competition Act, 2002, today.
The Proposed Combination is relating to acquisition of 9.09% of the total issued, subscribed and paid-up share capital of Escorts by Kubota. Upon completion of capital reduction process by Escorts, this will constitute 10% of its total issued, subscribed and paid-up share capital.Further, Escorts will acquire 40% shareholding in KAI. Accordingly, Kubota and Escorts will hold 60-40% shareholding respectively in KAI.
Kubota is a company incorporated under the laws of Japan. Kubota is a comprehensive agriculture product manufacturer and offers various machinery such as tractors, combine harvesters and rice transplanters. Kubota also offers engineering, procurement, construction to maintenance, contributing to safety and security of water.
Escorts is a public limited company incorporated in India. Escorts’ shares are listed on the BSE and the National Stock Exchange of India.Escorts is engaged in the business of manufacturing and sale of agri-machinery, construction equipment and railway equipment in India.
A detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Prime Minister's Office
List of MoUs/Agreements signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Israel 
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S.No.
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Title of MoUs/Agreements
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1
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MoU between the Department of Science & Technology, India and National Technological Innovation Authority, Israel for setting up of India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund .
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2
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MoU between the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation of the Republic of India and the Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources of the State of Israel on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India
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3
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MoU between U.P. Jal Nigam, Government of Uttar Pradesh, of the Republic of India and the Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources of the State of Israel on State Water Utility Reform in India
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4
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India-Israel Development Cooperation - Three Year Work Program in Agriculture 2018-2020
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5
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Plan of Cooperation Between the Indian Space Research Organisation  and the Israel Space Agency  regarding cooperation in Atomic Clocks
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6
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MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation  and the Israel Space Agency regarding cooperation in GEO-LEO Optical Link
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7
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MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation  and the Israel Space Agency  regarding cooperation in Electric Propulsion for Small Satellites
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Webinar on “Swami Vivekananda’s teachings: Relevance for today’s Youth” organized on the occasion of National Youth Day
The Regional Outreach Bureau & Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Chandigarh conducted a webinar on “Swami Vivekananda’s teachings: Relevance for today’s Youth” on the occasion of National Youth Day with Prof. Dr. Nandita Shukla Singh, Chief Coordinator of Centre for Swami Vivekananda Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Sh. Surinder Saini, State Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Punjab & Chandigarh as the guest speakers.
Image: Prof. Dr. Nandita Shukla Singh, Chief Coordinator of Centre for Swami Vivekananda Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh interacting with the participants
In a gripping interaction, Dr. Nandita Shukla Singh, Chief Coordinator of Centre for Swami Vivekananda Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh threw light on the emphasis laid by Swami Vivekananda on the importance of control over one’s mind. She also discussed the thought, relevance and truth behind the statement of C. Rajagopalachari when he said, “Swami Vivekananda saved Hinduism and saved India. But for him we would have lost our religion and would not have gained our freedom. We therefore owe everything to Swami Vivekananda. May his faith, his courage and his wisdom ever inspire us so that we may keep safe the treasure we have received from him!”
“Swamiji defined education as ‘the manifestation of the perfection already in man.’ The aim of education is to manifest in our lives the perfection, which is the very nature of our inner self. This perfection is the realization of the infinite power which resides in everything and every-where-existence, consciousness and bliss”, Dr. Nandita said.
Sh. Surinder Saini, State Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Punjab & Chandigarh took the participants to Swamiji’s groundbreaking speech to the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago where he ‘introduced Hinduism to America and called for religious tolerance and an end to fanaticism.’
Image: Sh. Surinder Saini, State Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Punjab & Chandigarh sharing his thoughts with the participants
While sharing the views of Swami Vivekananda about the youth, Sh. Surinder Saini mentioned, “Swamiji believed that youth is the foundation of a country and they are a great asset to any nation as they are full of energy, enthusiasm and innovative ideas. He called for channelizing their energy in the right direction so that they can drive the country on the path of progress.”
Ms. Sapna, Deputy Director, ROB Chandigarh welcomed the guest speakers and other participants in the webinar. Sh. Harshit Narang, Assistant Director, PIB Chandigarh moderated the session while introducing the topics. Ms. Sangeeta Joshi, Assistant Director, ROB Chandigarh summarized and closed the webinar with a vote of thanks all the participants.
Special Service and Features
2.42 kgs Gold worth ~1.05 Crores seized by Chennai Air Customs
Based on intelligence, one male passenger who arrived from Abu Dhabi by Air Arabia Airlines Flight 3L-141 on 16.10.2022, was intercepted by the Chennai Air Customs Officers. On examination, 9 discs of Silver coated Gold ingeniously concealed inside the motor of a car wash pump were recovered, resulting in recovery of 2.42 kgs of 24K purity Gold valued at Rs. 1.05 crores and same was seized under the Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested.
Further investigation is under progress, according to a press release issued by M.Mathew Jolly, Pr.Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
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Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of certain shareholding in Brillio Holdings, Inc. by Orogen-Brunson L.P.
The Competition Commission of India  has approved the acquisition of certain shareholding in Brillio Holdings, Inc. by Orogen-Brunson L.P. The proposed combination relates to acquisition of certain shareholding in Brillio Holdings, Inc. by Orogen-Brunson L.P.
Acquirer
Orogen-Brunson L.P. is a limited partnership formed in the USA to facilitate the proposed combination. It is part of the following groups:  the group of Orogen Holdings LLC and  the group of Atairos Group, Inc.
Target
Brillio Holdings, Inc., incorporated in the USA, provides global technology consulting and business solutions, with a focus on digital technologies and big data analytics. The Target is present in India through its subsidiary- Brillio India Technologies Private Limited.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Prime Minister's Office
Call on the Prime Minister by Major General  Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Major General  Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh called on Prime Minister Modi today.
The Prime Minister fondly recalled his visit to Bangladesh in March, 2021, and conveyed his best wishes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mr. Siddique thanked the Prime Minister for strengthening India-Bangladesh friendship and standing firmly with Bangladesh in times of crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister commended the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in ensuring all round development of Bangladesh and expressed his commitment to work with her to further strengthen India-Bangladesh ties.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
All India Weather Bulletin
Present heat wave conditions very likely to continue to prevail mainly during next 2 days over plains of northwest India, Central India & adjoining interior parts of eastern India
Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of South Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea & adjoining Central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centreof the India Meteorological Department:
♦ Due to prevailing dry northwesterly winds over plains of northwest India, Central India & adjoining interior parts of eastern India, present heat wave conditions very likely to continue to prevail mainly during next 2 days.
♦ Meteorological sub-division wise, isolated severe heat wave conditions with heat wave at many places very likely over Vidarbha during 26th-27th and with heat wave over some parts over Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and East Madhya Pradesh on 26th May. Heat wave conditions likely at a few places over Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and at isolated places over Punjab and East Uttar Pradesh on 27th May. Isolated heat wave conditions also likely over Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Marathawada and Madhya Maharashtra during next 2-3 days.
♦ Under the influence of a Western Disturbance and formation of east-west trough in lower levels and likely occurrence of rain/thunderstorm from 28th-29th May, maximum temperatures over plains of north India likely to recede from 28th onwards with substantial reduction of Heat wave conditions from 29th May. Under favourable wind conditions over parts of central & adjoining eastern parts of India, heat wave conditions also likely to reduce from these areas from 29th May.
♦ Due to strong southerly wind from Bay of Bengal to northeast India at lower tropospheric levels; Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls likely at isolated places over parts of Assam & Meghalaya during next 5 days and over Arunachal Pradesh on 26thMay. Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram &Tripura during next 5 days and over adjoining parts of east India during next 48 hours. Heavy rainfall at isolated places over parts of south peninsular India during 26th-30th May, 2020.
♦ The Northern Limit of Monsoon  continues to pass through Lat.5°N/Long.85°E, Lat.8°N/Long.90°E, Car Nicobar, Lat.11°N/Long.95°E. Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of south Bay of Bengal, Andaman
Sea & adjoining central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur to interact with Ministers and Secretaries of States and Union Territories in charge of Youth Affairs and Sports in a two days’ National Conference beginning in Kevadia from tomorrow
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur will interact with Ministers and Secretaries of States and Union Territories in charge of Youth Affairs and Sports in a two days’ National Conference beginning in Kevadia from tomorrow. Sh. Anurag Thakur will deliver the keynote address at the inauguration tomorrow morning.
Ahead of the conference, Shri Anurag Thakur said that Statue of Unity at Kevadia is attracting attention not only in India but also worldwide. It is a symbol of Unity in Diversity and in the conference at Kevadia, ministers from diverse states will come together and discuss how they can take the right steps for sports so that the players can perform better and enhance the pride of the country. “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is leading from the front and giving guidance and full support to the players, which has also boosted the moral of the players”, he further added.
During the conference various aspects of Khelo India Scheme like Geo-Tagging of Playfields, Training Centres/Academies in the States, Talent Identification & Development through Sports Competitions, Promotion of Sports for women, persons with disability, Tribals & Rural Areas, Indigenous Games and Importance of Education and Awareness on Anti-Doping, Building the ecosystem for Sports Support Professionals among others will be discussed. A detailed overview of development of sports in the country especially in recent years will also be presented. An overview of outreach programmes and schemes of Deptt of Youth Affairs and future roadmap for the same will be part of discussions on Day 2.
Ministry of Finance
Expert Committee on Variable Capital Company submits its report to the International Financial Services Centres Authority 
Dr. K.P. Krishnan headed expert committee on Variable Capital Company has submitted its report on the feasibility of Variable Capital Companies in the International Financial Services Centres to the Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority , Shri. Injeti Srinivas.
International Financial Services Centres Authority constituted a Committee of Experts  to examine the feasibility of the Variable Capital Company  in India to examine the suitability of the Variable Capital Company as a vehicle for fund management in the International Financial Services Centre in India.
The IFSCA set up this Committee to explore the potential for allowing another legal structure – popularly known as a variable capital company  – as an additional option through which asset managers could pool the investors’ funds. The VCC structure dispenses with some of the key limitations of companies and LLPs and provides for higher regulatory standards than those applicable to trusts.
Fund management activities are an important pillar of the overall financial services ecosystem. In line with the mandate given to the Committee, it examined the relevance and adaptability of the VCC for the IFSC in India or alternative structures to attract fund business in the IFSC. Conventionally, pooling of funds in India is undertaken through three types of entities, namely, limited liability companies governed under the Companies Act, 2013; limited liability partnerships under the Limited Liability Partnership Act; and trusts governed under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.
The Committee assessed the features of a VCC or its equivalent, in other jurisdictions such as the UK, Singapore, Ireland and Luxembourg. The Committee recommended the adoption of a VCC-like legal structure for the purpose of conducting fund management activity in IFSCs
The Committee recognized that the legal framework governing entities that undertake fund management should provide for certainty and clarity to investors, effective segregation and ring fencing of different pools of asset, the ability to issue different classes of shares, alterations to the funds’ capital structure without regulatory approvals and the freedom to choose the appropriate accounting standards applicable to funds with different characteristics, the ability to wind up quickly.
Ministry of Defence
NOCs FOR MOVIES BASED ON DEFENCE RELATED THEMES
From 1st January, 2021 to 31st January, 2022, status of proposals received by Indian Army for grant of No Objection Certificates  from filmmakers/producers for the production of movies on defence related themes is tabulated as under:
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Status of NOC
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Feature Films
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Documentaries/
TV Series
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Total
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Granted
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09
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07
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16
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Rejected
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01
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0
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01
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Pending
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01
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0
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01
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Total
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11
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07
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|
18
01 proposal for the NOC has been received by Indian Navy during the last ten years which is pending. Indian Air Force  has received the following proposals for NOCs during the last three years:
None of the proposals have been rejected by the IAF. Apart from above, 02 more NOCs were sought from Ministry of Defence which were granted.
The reason for refusal for granting NOC for a movie based on the life of an officer  of Indian Army is the portrayal of a romantic relationship between an Army soldier serving in Kashmir and a local boy which casts Indian Army in poor light and raises security issues.
The approval process is not arbitrary/discriminatory in nature nor does it violate Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Each case is considered based on its own merits keeping in view the factors like national security, the defence of India, situation of law and order in the country/various states, maintenance of discipline in the Armed Forces, ethos/customs of military service and general sentiments of the citizens and image of the Armed Forces in the minds of the citizens of India/general public.
The approval process is not violative of freedom of speech and expressions, guaranteed under Article 19  of the Constitution of India. The freedom of speech and expression is also subject to reasonable restrictions that may be required for safeguarding the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States and public order, decency or morality, or incitement to an offence etc.
The rationale behind issuing NOC to filmmakers/producers for movies based on defence related themes is to ensure that the Armed Forces are not depicted in a manner which brings disrepute to the Armed Forces/Government/Country, as also to ensure factual accuracy and that no classified matters are brought out in the open domain that could effect in security of the country.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi in Lok Sabha on February 11, 2022.
ABB/Nampi/Savvy
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